South Florida is mourning the loss of our Queen. Miami treasure and R&B icon Betty Wright has passed at 66. Hot 105 remembers and pays tribute to Ms B. Please keep Bettys family in your prayers and thoughts. Betty was everyone's mama.
Born in Miami as Bessie Regina Norris on December 21, 1953, Wright is the youngest of seven children of Rosa Akins Braddy-Wright and her second husband, McArthur Norris. Wright began her professional career at the age of two when her siblings formed the gospel group, the Echoes of Joy. Wright contributed to vocals on the group's first album, released in 1956. Wright and her siblings performed together until the mid-1960s.
In 1965, following the group's break-up, 11-year-old Wright, who was already using the name Betty Wright, decided to switch musical styles from gospel to rhythm and blues, singing in local talent shows until being spotted by a local Miami record label owner, who signed her to her first label in 1966 at twelve. She released the singles, "Thank You Baby" and "Paralyzed", which found Wright local fame in Miami.
In 1967, the teen was responsible for discovering other local talents such as George and Gwen McCrae, helping them sign with the Alston Records label, part of Henry Stone's TK recording and distribution company. My First Time Around, her first album, was released when she was still 14. Her first hit single was Judy White's "Girls Can't Do What Guys Do".[3] While still in high school in 1970, Wright released "Pure Love" at the age of sixteen.
Since then, the Miami legend has inspired a slew of iconic R&B acts as well as other Miami artists like Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, and so much more.
Check out videos of Ms. Betty Wright in our HOT 105 studios below